Lately at Lunch with Lauren: Favorite Meals of 2020

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

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These were some my favorite things I made this year at home: dupe of PF Changs Mongolian beef, buttermilk fried chicken with peaches and mashed celeriac, steamed mussels with garlic, wine and brown butter, Ina Garten’s peach pie recipe, meat tower, yellow-tail with citrus, watermelon and basil, mushroom ragout with Boursin on toast, white truffle risotto with scallops, braised leeks and peaches, sweet potato and chorizo hash.

Like everyone else, I cooked a lot more than I ate out. These are a few of my favorite meals of 2020:

, brisket taquitos from Taqueria Los Hermanos, brisket from Secret Pint BBQ, ocean pyramid at Budi’s Sushi Two-Go, lobster roll at The Big Ketch Buckhead, fried okra at Chick-fil-A (Hapeville Dwarf House), fresh pina colada at The Hub 30A

 

 

We had a delicious family lunch at Bellina Alimentariin Ponce City Market. Fresh, handmade pastas are filling. My mom and I split a salad with pears and hazelnuts and the squid in pasta with braised octopus and squid. The kids portions are also big enough to take some home. If you want some delicious Italian a little closer to home, Buon Fornello

is a great option. It’s tucked away in the Publix shopping center on Hammond and Peachtree Dunwoody. Authentic Italian pasta dishes and sandwiches as well as pizza and gelato. There are a few small tables for dine-in and carryout available. I would 100% suggest giving them a try.